There is always a debate about the integrity of public officials. People will always have their opinions whether the government is doing well or not. However, these subjective arguments only do little to no help in coming up with an educated opinion.

When confused, avoid taking part in an argument in social media. This is irresponsible use of the internet. Let us visit, instead, the Republic Act 6713 or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”.

Government employees are expected to uphold integrity at all times. Specific ethical standards are enumerated in sections 4 through 9 but excluding section 6.

Section 4 cites the standards of conduct of government officials and employees wherein government employees are expected to observe the following:

• Public officials and employees shall always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest. All government resources and powers must be to avoid wastage in
• public funds and revenues.
  Public officials shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.
• Public officials and employees shall at all times respect the rights of others, and refrain from doing acts contrary to law, public safety and public interest.
• Public officials and employees shall provide service to everyone without discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.
• Public officials and employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public. They shall provide information on their policies and procedures in an understandable language and ensure openness of information.
• Public officials shall, at all times, be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people. They shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
• Public officials shall commit themselves to the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public accountability, and manifest the supremacy of civilian authority over the military. They shall uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country, not to persons or party.
• Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious displays of wealth in any form.

Section 5 enumerates the obligations of public servants such as responding promptly to letters and requests, submitting an annual performance report, processing documents and papers in a timely manner, attending to the public’s personal transactions, and making documents accessible to the public.
Prohibited acts and transactions for public officials stated in section 7 include having direct financial transactions that require approval from their office, being employed in private institutions, and disclosing and misusing confidential information of their office.

Public officials and employees are also prohibited from accepting solicitations or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties.

Section 8 requires public officials to disclose their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and other financial connections including those of their direct family members. In relation to that, they are also required to disclose and identify their relatives.

In case of any conflict of interest, section 9 states that “When a conflict of interest arises, he shall resign from his position in any private business enterprise within thirty (30) days from his assumption of office and/or divest himself of his shareholdings or interest within sixty (60) days from such assumption.”